::::The environmental impact of the fashion industry is one of the heaviest considering that a high percentage of the garments we buy are not first necessity goods. Its ethical practices are more often than not questionable. People all over the world are taking a stand by asking first of all themselves and then the brands that sign the apparel they're wearing #whomademyclothes. But this is just the beginning of the journey towards a more sustainable fashion. The Fashion Revolution website documents a variety of ways in which we can decrease consumption, prolong the life of the clothes we wear and overall reduce their footprint. Change will be grateful for every little effort because all the little things will add up. I for one chose to make my own clothing although I am not a professional seamstress.::L’impatto ambientale dell’industria della moda risulta tra i più pesanti, sopratutto se prendiamo in considerazione il fatto che in un’alta percentuale, i vestiti che compriamo non possono essere ritenuti beni di prima necessità. Inoltre, i comportamenti non etici o eticamente discutibili sono molto comuni. Durante la settimana della Fashion Revolution, persone da tutto il mondo hanno preso una posizione, chiedendo per prima a se stesse e poi ai marchi che firmano i loro capi #whomademyclothes (chi ha fatto i miei vestiti). Ma questo è soltanto l’inizio del cammino verso una moda sostenibile. Il sito web della Fashion Revolution documenta svariati modi attraverso i quali possiamo ridurre il consumo, prolungare la vita dei nostri capi, e in generale, contribuire alla riduzione della loro impronta sull’ambiente. Ogni singolo gesto conta. Io ho scelto di realizzare da sola i vestiti che indosso anche se non sono una sarta di professione.::::

::::I made this dress and proudly wear it.I sincerely cannot imagine any scenario in which I would throw this dress away. Making it took a lot of thought. I carefully selected the fabric to use and the pattern to cut. I let myself imagine the dress finished, how it would look on me, and how it would fit in with my lifestyle. I asked myself: “Am I going to wear this enough times?” When the answer was yes, I finally took the time and made it. ::Ho cucito questo vestito è sono orgogliosa di indossarlo.Ci ho pensato tanto prima di realizzarlo. Ho attentamente selezionato i tessuti e il modello. Ho provato a immaginarmi il vestito addosso. Mi sono chiesta: “Lo metterò abbastanza volte? Va bene con il mio stile di vita?” Quando la risposta è stata si, finalmente mi sono seduta al tavolo di taglio e mi sono messa al lavoro. ::::

::::Estelle Ellis Rubinstein in a speech at FIT New York defined fashion as a perpetual-motion machine expressed in four areas: “mode—the way we dress; manners—the way we express ourselves; mores—the way we live; and markets—the way we are defined demographically and psychologically.” Basically, fashion is us. There is no such thing as an enlightened designer receiving from the heavens the vision of what we all should wear this season. Fashion is produced through the interaction between commerce, culture and consumers. When you decide not to buy a t-shirt but make one yourself you are subtracting the consumer from this equation. A small voice telling the fashion system to correct itself. However, this is not why I decided to make my clothes. To be honest, I do it because it feels good and it feels right. Do I make all my clothes? Of course not. I make what I can and what I enjoy making.::Estelle Ellis Rubinstein in un discorso al FIT di New York definì la moda come una machina a moto perpetuo che si esprime in quattro aree: “ la moda stessa - come ci vestiamo, i modi - come esprimiamo noi stessi, i costumi - come viviamo e i mercati - come veniamo definiti demograficamente e psicologicamente” (trad.) In ultima istanza quindi la moda siamo noi. Non c’è nessun designer illuminato che riceve direttamente dai cieli la visione di cosa dobbiamo indossare questa stagione. La moda nasce dalle interazioni complesse tra commercio, cultura e consumatori. Quando decidi di non comprare una t-shirt ma invece di fartela da sola sottrai il consumatore dall’equazione. Una piccola voce che chiede al sistema moda di correggere se stesso. Comunque, non e questa la ragione per la quale ho deciso di confezionarmi da sola i vestiti. Per essere sincera lo faccio perché mi fa star bene e mi sembra giusto. Riesco a farmi tutti i vestiti? Ovviamente no. Faccio quello che posso e mi piace fare.::::

Ivana / Serbia

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art historianI started sewing mostly because I couldn't find the clothes I wanted to wear in the stores (and, when I did find them, I couldn't afford them). You don't need fancy equipment to sew things, I made everything with a supermarket bought machine, from swimwear to a coat that I still wear nowadays, 6 years after I sewed it.

Pia / UK

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web user experience architectWhen I started out I could not afford designer clothing I liked. Now it's a creative outlet, and a chance to get a better fit for my aging body in the type of clothing I like. Fashion/RTW/Designer clothing still interest me. But they never seem to want to make something that suits me perfectly!

Carolyn Smith / Australia

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analytical chemistI LOVE sewing. About 6 years ago I pledged to never buy ready to wear clothes again, and have kept that promise. I was sickened by reports of the low low prices paid to garment workers in third world countries, and how I would see my peers buying six or seven cheap T-shirts with a view that wearing them once and throwing them away was an ok thing to do.... I thought it was NOT OK!

Inês / Portugal

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mom & part time content creatorI sew because it makes me happy and it is an amazing creative outlet. I love to see my kids dressed in fun, colourful clothes and that isn't always in line with what you can find in shops.

Ute / Germany

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social workerSewing is a never ending source for learning and I love learning, especially with my hands and knowing there will always be something new to learn, makes me happy. The simple ethically made clothes I am looking for, would be unaffordable for me. Sewing gives me freedom and makes me independent from the fashion industry.

Joost De Cock / Belgium

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civil servant - IT and communications at the European ParliamentThere is something profoundly satisfying and liberating about making something with your own hands; there is no pride or honour in being a consumer. At a time when jobs become ever more abstract, making things provides a sense of purpose for me.

Julia / Germany

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marketing managerI really love fashion but I don't like how most of it is produced. Sewing gives me the opportunity to know how my clothing was made and where it comes from. Sewing allows me to create the wardrobe of my dreams, while being independent from changing fashions and what is available in stores.

Martina Cammareri / Italia

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communication specialistI love every single thing involved in making a garment. Every single piece of clothing I make is unique. Sewing also helped me better understand how much work it takes to make our clothes and change my consumer habits.

Ingrid W / Denmark

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social entrepreneurship student and freelance project managerI had enough of the fast fashion I used to consume, and the unethical behaviour of the majority of high street shops. We're so removed from the production of things we consume - sewing my own clothes is a way to fight that. Besides I am very tall (6ft) and love being able to make clothes that fit me.

Edina / UK

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environmental consultantI love being creative and using my hands which is a great way to unwind from my PC-heavy office job. I also really enjoy wearing something unique, well-fitting and a little bit more sustainable than the average ready-to-wear fashion.

Reana / Australia

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professional marketer, content producer, and cookie eater (the last bit is self-appointed)It's empowering to make the clothes you want to wear! Especially when you can't afford them ;) So I guess that's why I sew. It's empowering and I enjoy it.

Sallie Barbee / US

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program manager and assistant curator at a small artist residency and galleryI sew because I love wearing beautiful, one-of-a-kind clothing, I love the creative process of choosing fabric and pattern, and I love having a wardrobe entirely built to my specifications.

Sarah / Australia

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veterinarian I love fabric and fashion. I love being in control of what I wear rather than what the current trends dictate - my garments are unique. I love knowing that no one was paid a pittance to make my clothing. It allows me to use both sides of my brain - to problem solve and be creative.

Sophie / Australia

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mum, communications student, fabric sleuthI love being the middle-man! There's nothing like the feeling of seeing something that started as an idea, materialise into a wearable piece of clothing. Never gets old!

Sonja / US

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furniture restorationI love watching raw materials slowly transform into clothing. It's so invigorating to make something with my own two hands! Plus, I never have to worry about showing up to a party wearing the same dress as another girl- I'm always unique!

Margo / Canada

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For me, sewing is so much more than needle and thread, it is design, creativity and craftsmanship all rolled into one satisfying hobby. And as a hobby, I am free to explore and create a personal wardrobe tailored to my tastes and more often.....my whims.

Charlie Wensley / US

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former marketing manager, current stay at home mum Sewing is a creative outlet as well as my own personal therapy. Post natal depression is what got me sewing again as a totally me-orientated outlet that wasn’t to do with babies and I find great solace and meditation in the methodical process of sewing.

Marcy Harriell / US

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actress, singer, dancerI taught myself how to sew during a brief stay in Los Angeles--everything there is about the entertainment business, and one needs a good distraction. It was meant to be a hobby, but quickly turned into a passion!